In February 2021, Joshua Tyler exited his vehicle in Hardin County, Kentucky, with his hands completely up, submitting entirely to law enforcement commands. Instead of a lawful arrest, Joshua was subjected to a brutal, coordinated beating. Multiple Hardin County Sheriff’s deputies and a Kentucky State Police trooper pulled him to the pavement, punching him dozens of times, striking him with flashlights, and repeatedly slamming his head into the concrete.

When Joshua's family desperately sought answers, the Kentucky State Police told them that no video footage of the arrest existed.

This was a lie. Dashcam footage of the entire beating did exist, and when it finally came to light, it was shocking enough to trigger an active FBI civil rights investigation.

But the cover-up worked exactly as the department intended. Because state law enforcement delayed releasing the video, the family was trapped by Kentucky’s strict one-year statute of limitations for civil rights violations. By the time the truth was exposed, the clock had run out, legally blocking Joshua and his family from filing a civil lawsuit to hold these officers financially and legally accountable.
The justice system is shielding these officers on a technicality. Because the courts are blocked, we must use the power of public pressure to demand administrative justice.

We are petitioning Kentucky leadership for three immediate actions:

Immediate Termination: Demand that Hardin County Sheriff John Ward and the Kentucky State Police immediately fire and strip the law enforcement certifications of every officer involved in the beating and subsequent withholding of evidence.

Independent Prosecution: Demand that state and federal prosecutors move forward with criminal charges based on the FBI investigation, ensuring these men face a jury.

Pass "Joshua’s Law": Demand that the Kentucky General Assembly change the state's archaic one-year statute of limitations for police misconduct, ensuring the clock stops if law enforcement intentionally hides bodycam or dashcam evidence from victims.

Please sign this petition to show Kentucky officials that hiding evidence will no longer protect dirty cops from accountability. We need justice for Joshua Tyler.